What Is Baby Doll Lingerie?
When we say “lingerie”, people mainly tend to think about bras and panties. But a lingerie wardrobe features other essentials, including slips, nightgowns, and yes, babydoll lingerie. A style that was most recently trendy in the 2000s and is now having a huge resurgence, babydoll lingerie has been in fashion since at least the 1940s, when wartime rationing forced some fashion transformations, including the shortening of hemlines, including nightgowns. Thus, the babydoll nightdress was born: a full, A-line, very short dress, usually with frills.
What Is The History of Baby Doll Lingerie?
In the 1950s, a controversial movie called “Baby Doll” gave it its name and made it synonymous with flirty sensuality. The babydoll dress moved into the lingerie space in the 60s, where sheer and lacy varieties were produced, and they became a very stylish, but still demure option acceptable for modest housewives.
The rise to trend status coincided with the mod era of the 60s, which favored the same short, wide silhouette. So, the babydoll style enjoyed popularity among all age categories and was pushed far into the mainstream, cementing its status as an iconic part of fashion history, destined to come back again and again.
And come back, it has. In the 90s-00s, we saw babydoll tops, dresses and lingerie-as-outerwear worn by punk rock ladies with fishnets, combat boots and messy makeup - the look even had a name, Kinderwhore - and that’s the look we’re seeing repeated today. Olivia Rodrigo made headlines and created backlash for her punk-inspired babydoll dress performance, while Sabrina Carpenter is taking a more 50s approach to the style and wearing it as nightwear with heels and vintage hairstyles.
Why Choose Baby Doll Lingerie?
But why this style? Is it practical, or just cute? And the answer is - both! Yes, the look is cute and flirty, and that’s why we love it, but it’s actually a really practical style. Which is exactly why it remains timeless and keeps coming back into fashion.
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Wear it as a nightgown - Go back to its roots and use babydoll dresses as cute, airy nightgowns. In the sweltering summer, when any pants, no matter how short, are still too much, this wide-cut, short nightgown is absolutely perfect. Or go ultra sheer - both the babydoll and the shorts.
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Wear it as a slip - The art of the slip has been lost, but we can bring it back. Skirts and dresses didn't need a lining because everyone wore a slip underneath their clothes. Acting as a protective layer, as well as a layer to help clothes sit smoothly on top, it also keeps your clothes from getting sweaty and helps extend the time between washes.
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Wear it to bed - There’s wearing it to bed, and then there’s wearing it…to bed. Any partner would be delighted to encounter you dressed in an ultra-short, gauze-y, flirty little number, like a babydoll lingerie dress. Lace, silk, mesh, there’s plenty to choose from.
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Wear it during the day - Since it’s back on trend, the babydoll lingerie dress can be shamelessly worn outside, during the day. You’ll look super stylish, and people will be none the wiser that your lingerie drawer is pulling double-duty.
How Do You Style Baby Doll Lingerie?
However you want to wear it, the facts are that the silhouette is timeless, and currently extremely relevant. So, how do you style baby doll lingerie?
For daytime wear
It’s essential to tone down this lingerie piece if you’re going to wear it out and about during the day. You can go the classic punk route and style it with an oversized leather jacket, fishnet tights, and beat-up combat boots.
Or you can try something more avant-garde and fashion-forward and pair it with a pair of jeans. Finish off the outfit with either a pair of sneakers or really funky shoes, like tabi ballet flats. You can also add an oversized grandpa cardigan for extra casual vibes. The point is to offset the inherent sexiness of lingerie and make it more of a fashion statement. Picking a bold color helps with your intent.
For nighttime wear
Here, you can have a lot more flirty fun. Wear it by itself with just a pair of slippers and your hair down for an ultra-casual yet extremely sexy night look. You “just” threw this on. You woke up like this.
Or you can go with the more styled option and make it a full 1950s cosplay. A pair of heels, a string of pearls, and maybe even seam-thigh-high stockings complete with a garter belt. Curl your hair, and put on red lipstick to finish off the fantasy. If you really want to go all out, add a sheer house robe trimmed with feathers or fur. You know the one.
Enjoy the Summer’s Hottest Trend
Flirty, modest, stylish, patriotic, and at times controversial, the babydoll style is over 80 years old and has stood the test of time. A classic silhouette with timeless appeal, this flirty dress is surprisingly versatile and flattering on all kinds of body shapes, sizes, and ages. Wear it to sleep or wear it to go out partying, there will always be a time and a place for this historic style.